0761. Satan Lifts Us Up with Pride

Satan Lifts Us Up with Pride

"Being lifted up with pride he fell into the condemnation of the devil" (1Ti_3:6).

Satan certainly seeks to entangle us in the net of pride. He, himself, fell because he was proud and lifted up. He exalted himself. He said: "I will be like the Host High."

Nebuchadnezzar fell under the same sin. He said: "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built * * by the might of my power, and for the glory of my majesty?"

David slipped from the same reason. Satan moved David to number Israel. David did so, and God came against him in swift judgments.

Many churches are accustomed to send in annual reports of the work done during the year–the number of baptisms, the amount of money raised and a general survey of their accomplishments. This is well and good, providing it is not a matter of glorying. But, if it is a matter of glorying, it is under the curse of God.

In Acts 3, we read how the people wanted to honor Peter and John for the healing of the lame man, but they immediately cried out, that there was no power or holiness within them that had caused the lame man to walk. They refused the worship of men.

Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation. He did not seek the honor that cometh from men. Satan is forever saying unto us, "Ye shall be as gods." He wants us to think of ourselves, above that we ought to think. He wants us to lean upon the arm of flesh.

Satan would give us, for our moto, "We do things." A better motto would be: "We do no things."

Of course, Christ can do things, and we can do all things through Christ; but apart from Him we can do nothing.

As Christians we need much caution here. God says three things:

"Let no man glory in men."

"Let no man glory in the flesh."

"Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord."

The Apostle Paul had a wonderful revelation. God knew the tendency would be toward "exaltation." Therefore God allowed a messenger of satan to buffet Paul.

Satan was, in reality, working against himself. He would have done everything possible to exalt Paul, to lift him up with pride; yet God used satan’s messenger to keep Paul where he should be kept at the Master’s feet.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR